Making Your Story Hurt (in a Good Way)
- Kayjah Taylor
- Oct 25
- 3 min read
As writers, part of our goal is to make our readers feel something. We want laughter, tears, held breath, and ache. In this blog post, we’ll specifically touch on the ache.
Ache is an important tool to utilize when you want your readers to feel the hurt. It should linger, not only because the story brought about something cruel, but also because it was true.
Making your story hurt doesn’t necessarily mean you need a shock value, violence, or needless tragedy. It is about being emotionally honest. It is about reminding the reader of their humanity and moral compass. I’ve read plenty of books that have left me in a daze, and that is the kind of ache I want readers to feel when experiencing my work.
So let’s talk about how to craft an ache that will leave your reader reeling!
Hurt Comes from Truth
Emotional moments that hold power don’t have to be in your face. They just need to feel real.
For example, take a protagonist, a villain, and a friend of the protagonist. You expect betrayal from a villain. You expect them to make the hero hurt because that is what they are meant to do. What you don’t expect, is for the friend to betray the protagonist. The death of a character isn’t usually sad, it is the way character’s mourn them after.
Character building can really boost the amount of emotional impact your story can make. Making your characters real makes their experiences real, and that is what helps your reader bond with the story. Use your story to reflect realistic emotions back onto your readers.
Your Characters Must Break to Heal Again
I’ve touched on making your characters earn their change and growth throughout previous blog posts. And, I will do it again!
Your reader will connect with your characters on a deeper level if they see growth. Growth, however, is the result of a difficult journey. Just as your character earns their recovery and healing, they probably earn their heartbreak, too.
Try not to shield your characters from difficult choices and situations. They must fail before they can win. They must lose what is important to them. They must carry the scars of their past. All the pain will lead to a more satisfying end.
I also want to note that your character’s pain should be justified. Don’t let the world hurt them just because it can. Let the hurt be meaningful. Let it have a purpose toward your character’s growth.
Small Moments Can Hurt Most
Some of the most devastating moments occur when there is not a lot going on. The small, quiet moments can often have a bigger impact than the larger plot.
A character may be forced to walk away from someone they love. A parent could realize their child does not need them anymore.
These simple moments can often be more impactful because they are human. They are relatable, and thus, make the reader feel and relate to your character’s growth.
End with Realism, not Perfection
Make your story hurt, but also make the redemption sweet (or bittersweet). Your readers don’t need to leave your story feeling hopeless. Their hope should feel fragile, just as your character’s .
Your characters don’t need to have a happily ever after. Your characters don’t need to be fixed. They just need to know they will be okay in the future.
End Thoughts
Stories that hurt remind us that feeling is a gift. Let your readers see themselves in your story, and maybe they can heal just as your characters have. Make them ache! Give them something real!
Thank you all for reading, and I hope you have an amazing Saturday <3
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